When Koguryo ruled East Asia

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18. 각저총

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Ⅰ. Representative Mural Paintings 

Wrestling scene 

_ South wall of the main chamber

This wrestling scene is the main theme of

the tomb and covers the entire south wall of

the main chamber. Under a big tree, two

sturdy men are in a wrestle holding each

other's thigh bands. To their left is standing

an old man with a cane, who probably is a

referee. The birds on the tree are watching

the match with their heads craned out. In

addition to being a popular sport among the

Koguryo people, the wrestling most likely

was one of the funerary rituals.

Gakjeochong

First half oh the 5th century, South slope of Yushan

Ji’an City, Jilin Province

The name Gakjeochong, Tomb of Wrestlers, comes

from the well-known wrestling scene painted on the wall

of the main chamber. The tomb consists of an

antechamber and a main chamber. One of its remarkable

features is the representation of large trees with stylized

branches and rich foliage on the walls of both chambers.

The rest of the murals mostly are depiction of the daily

life of the tomb occupant. Among many scenes, the

portraits of the tomb occupant and his two wives are

especially famous. On the borders of the ceiling and the

main walls are flame patterns. The ceiling is covered with

the sun and moon, and constellations as well as cloud

patterns represented in flowing lines. It is regretful that

the murals are hardly discernible today, for a large

proportion of the mural has fallen off since its discovery. 

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Elevation and plan 

Entrance viewed from the main chamber 

Although much defaced, two trees with stylized branches stand on either

side of the entrance. On the corners are depictions of pillars topped with

bracket sets, imitating the interior of wooden architecture. The rest of the

wall is filled with clouds rendered in flowing lines, displaying the

auspicious nature of the embellished space in the tomb. 

Constellation on the ceiling of the main chamber

A horse and a groom

under the tree 

_ North wall of the main chamber

A carriage, horse and groom are depicted

under two large trees with rich foliage and

stylized branches. This scene probably is

related to some kind of official outing of the

deceased couple. The schematized trees

show an early example of tree depiction.

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18. 각저총

Ⅰ. 대표적 고분벽화

Drinking tea with the deceased master

(Replica)

_ 

East wall of the main chamber

The deceased master and his two wives are drinking tea in a room with drawn up curtains. The master is seated on a chair, while the wives are

kneeling down. A sword, a bow and arrows laid around the master suggest that he is a warrior. The two ladies wearing jackets and pleated skirts

show the costumes of the Koguryo women. The lady on the right is wearing a two-layered skirt with black hem. The portraits are notable for the

inclusion of the figures in profile, which makes them distinct from those in the Pyeongyang region where most of the portraits are in frontal

views. Below the figures are represented symbolic cloud patterns rendered in curvilinear lines displaying an auspicious atnosphere.

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Ⅰ. Representative Mural Paintings 

Muyongchong

First half of the 5th century, South slope of Yushan

Ji’an City, Jilin Province

This tomb, located next to Gakjeochong, is known for

its famous hunting and dancing scenes. Its interior

reminds of wooden architecture, with painted bracket

sets and pillars in the corners of the walls. And its murals

are some of the most remarkable tomb murals of

Koguryo. In the ceiling are represented the sun and moon

deities, blue dragon, white tiger, auspicious animals and

immortals. The well-known hunting and dancing scenes

are found on the walls of the main chamber. 

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Tomb occupant receiving

Buddhist monk 

_ East wall of the

main chamber

The deceased master of the tomb receives two

guests who appear to be monks. In terms of

curtains and interiors, this scene is similar to

the scene in Gakjeochong Tomb. The

attending servants are represented smaller than

the master and the monks, which indicate that

their social positions are lower than those of

the main figures. 

Hunting scene 

_ North wall of the main chamber

Hunters on horsebacks are dashing across the field surrounded by mountains. The space looks shallow and the animals appear stiff

and motionless. Yet the rhythmical lines in the depiction of the mountains enliven the scene. Also, the careful arrangement of the

hunters and chased animals successfully conveys the tension of the moment. 

19. Muyongchong

Elevation and plan 

Constellation on the ceiling of the main chamber

Mural painting 

_ Left side of the antechamber

The interior of the tomb appears as that of wooden architecture with

painted bracket sets and lintels. Although the mural is severely

damaged, flame patterns above the lintel are vaguely discernable. 

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Ⅰ. 대표적 고분벽화

Dancing scene

(Replica)

_ South wall of the main chamber 

This is a banquet scene filled with dance, music and food. A group of men and women are

dancing to the music, and three barefooted maids are bringing out foods from the house. In

the middle, a figure on horseback that appears to be the tomb occupant is watching the

dance. The designation of the tomb derived from this scene. It is also important in

understanding the Koguryo people’s love for music and dance. 

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Drawing of the dancing scene

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